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Facebook is building chatbots, Google and Amazon are churning out talking speakers by the millions (and Apple plans to get in on the action with its HomePod), hearables (smart earbuds) is a growing market, and just about every smartphone now comes with its own digital assistant baked right in.
Whether you are speaking to Alexa, Siri, Cortana, or one of their digital rivals, chances are you are already on speaking terms with a voice-based application.
A recent BI Intelligence report indicated that 9 million U.S. households have an Alexa-capable device. A study by KPCB, a Silicon Valley VC, found that two thirds of U.S. smartphone users employed a voice assistance in 2015. Google reported recently that a fifth of all searches it receives are spoken.
Everyone is suddenly in the mood to talk.
The appeal of voice interaction is the natural fluency we all have with it. Keyboards, mice, and even touchscreen gestures are all highly abstract ways to use our computers. By contrast, speaking to communicate with other intelligent beings is the default way of doing things.
To be sure, voice as a platform hasn’t matured yet. Anyone who’s gotten an incoherent response back after asking their smartphone a simple question can tell you that this generation of digital assistants aren’t always that intelligent. But, new technologies invariably have bugs to be worked out.
Ultimately, adding voice interactions will open up computing to millions of people who can’t or don’t like to use keyboards, mice, and touch gestures. People with vision impairments have been relying on screen readers and text-to-speech software for decades. With the addition of nearly perfected voice recognition and artificially intelligent agents, the technologies that have enabled them are evolving rapidly and other groups are seeing the advantages of using voice to navigate and operate our networks and systems.
In just a few short years the platform has grown considerably. Several major brands are jumping at the opportunity to add voice to their omnichannel strategies.
Alexa, which is available on Amazon’s Echo line of smart speakers, operates a “skills store” (it’s version of an app store; Google calls their voice apps “actions”) for third-party developers to build new functions for their voice-enabled products. For example, users can download skills created by Starbucks and Domino’s to order their favorite snack just by asking.
They can also tell Alexa to call an Uber, play their Spotify favorites, ask Campbell’s for a recipe, check their Capital One bank balance, or see if the BMW in their garage is gassed up. These skills are a way for brands to achieve several goals. They get early experience with the voice platform to inform later campaigns, but they also get to engage with their customers in a space that isn’t yet overcrowded.
Not only will their voice literally be heard above the fray, but voice itself is seen as a powerfully engaging medium that has its own advantages. It’s something that is part of their daily lives, and unlike clicking and typing, has an immersive and instinctual quality to it.
According to Amazon’s own figures, Echo owners spent 10% more on Amazon in the six months after purchasing the device. That bump in sales is partly due to the novelty appeal of a new and exciting platform, but some of it has to be credited to the ease and usefulness of shopping by voice.
Campbell’s, for its part, is concerned with staying relevant and available to consumers wherever they are. A VP for the company asked the Financial Times rhetorically:
“Cookbooks have been replaced by tablets. What will tablets be replaced by?”
Some brands are looking on with caution, noticing that the brand most commonly recommended by Alexa is AmazonBasics, the home brand of the world’s biggest online retailer. Others are going in their own direction. Walmart’s acquisition of ecommerce site Jet.com was their latest challenge to Amazon’s dominance in the space.
Marc Lore is a former Jet.com executive who is now head of Walmart’s ecommerce division. Lore told the audience this month at the Robert W Baird Global Consumer, Technology & Services Conference:
“It won’t be long before you are able to have a much richer experience and talk in a very conversational way… Combine that with having as much knowledge about what you like and don’t like as your mom or dad…”
There seems to be about a dozen revolutions happening at any one time these days. The channel options for your omnichannel strategies just keep growing. It’s anyone’s guess as to which is going to have its moment next, but voice as platform is building up momentum.
Brands have always wanted a creative conversation with their customers. This is might be the best opportunity yet.


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A chicken burrito, guacamole, bag of tortilla chips, and a drink are arranged for a photograph at a Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. restaurant in El Segundo, California, U.S., on Wednesday, July 25, 2018.
Patrick T. Fallon | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Fast food Mexican restaurant chain Chipotle is “better, faster” and “stronger” heading into the new year, according to Cowen, who just named the stock one of its best idea of 2020.
The firm upgraded shares of Chipotle to outperform from market perform and hiked its price target to $970 per share from $800 per share. Chipotle shares closed at $786.51 a share on Monday.

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Why would companies that manufacture phones, like Sony or Apple, want to get into the electric vehicle business? A better question to ask is, “why wouldn’t they?” While electric vehicles have only just begun to corner a small portion of the automobile market, the upside of prospective growth is tremendous. As vehicles become more reliant on batteries, wiring, and programming in lieu of combustion engines, companies like Sony and Apple feel they have enough knowledge and expertise to take a crack at an electric vehicle of their own.
Why big tech wants to add EVs to its repertoire
As previously mentioned, electric vehicles have solidified themselves as the future of transportation in order to combat global warming. Thanks to manufacturers like Tesla, whose market cap valuation recently topped $850 billion, traditional ICE automakers are following suit and going electric. Furthermore, hundreds of EV startups are seeking funding to become the next Tesla.
So why would electronics companies like Sony or Apple want to try to compete in this flooding market where only a select few have become profitable? The leap into electric vehicles isn’t as wide of a gap as you might think.
One major reason addressed above is the potential of the market. Electric vehicles will not only continue to grow exponentially amongst consumers, but in public transportation as well. Just recently, President Biden ordered the United States’ entire federal fleet of vehicles to go electric. What companies will manufacturer these federal vehicles is still uncertain, but there is no doubt a growing demand for quality EVs.
Electronics companies are already involved in electric vehicles
Another reason why this move makes sense is the role many of these tech companies have already had in the automotive space. For decades, electronics companies have designed and manufactured various components either for or adjacent to automotive vehicles. This includes audio systems, console interfaces, and other control systems.
Sony, for example, produces televisions, gaming consoles, and even feature films. Adding electric vehicles to its menu offers further business opportunity and revenue, but also makes sense from a logistical manufacturing standpoint. If you’re already providing pie makers with a majority of their ingredients, why not start making your own pies?
Venturing into electric vehicles is easier than in the past
Part of the appeal for large companies like Baidu in China is the development of electric vehicles themselves. For an electronics company to try to attempt its own ICE vehicle would be a daunting task. It’s also not the wisest business move. However, EVs run on lithium-ion batteries, much like nearly every mobile device we carry with us everywhere. Mobile devices that Apple and Foxconn already manufacture.
Furthermore, electric motors are much more familiar territory for electronics conglomerates, not to mention these powertrains are significantly less complicated than an internal combustion engine. With companies like Tesla integrating its mobile app to control the vehicle, as well as full-blown computers and gaming consoles within it, EVs have come to share much of the same DNA as a mobile phone.
Say you have an iPhone or a Sony phone, and you drive a new electric vehicle from the same company. Your phone in your pocket communicates with your sedan as you get close, starts the vehicle, and unlocks the door for you before you even touch it. You’re currently listening to your favorite podcast and as you sit and buckle up, your audio automatically switches to your car speakers. This is just a fictional example, but the possibilities are limitless. The level of seamlessness these large tech companies could provide to consumers is quite substantial.
Electric vehicle startups are looking for funding
One final reason why the expansion to electric vehicles for companies like Apple and Sony makes sense – the bountiful pool of companies with a jump start on manufacturing that lack funding. In the last couple years alone, the market has seen EV startups like Fisker, Nikola, and Lordstown Motors merge with large, publicly-traded automotive companies to garner capital.
Booming tech companies can use their vast funds to invest in startups too, and there is no shortage of equipment manufacturers to choose from. The largest obstacle in the way of producing vehicles at mass volume is the exorbitant amount of cheddar required to build the proper facilities and assembly lines. For example, Tesla’s expansion of its Model 3 sedan nearly bankrupted the company due to the chokehold that delays in scaling production put on cashflow. Large electronics companies can provide that upfront capital. They have actually already begun, as you will see below.
Here are a few major tech companies dipping their toe in the electric vehicle space to various degrees.
Sony’s first electric vehicle
Let’s start with the company that has already produced its first electric vehicle, albeit it is a concept, Sony. This Japanese tech Megazord announced its first concept vehicle, the Vision-S at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. In 2021, at (a virtual) CES, Sony updated the world to its progress with the Vision-S.
According to Sony Corp.’s President and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, the company is continuing to develop the Vision-S prototype for safety, security, entertainment, and adaptability. Last December, Sony began public road testing in Austria for technical evaluation.
We still have zero details as to if, or when the Vision-S prototype might reach production. Nor do we know how much the Sony EV might cost, what range it will offer, or really any other specs for that matter. At first glance, the Vision-S looks like it can hold its own as an EV. The interior photos alone offer a lot of prospects for immersive entertainment for all passengers. For now, however, the Vision-S remains a concept yet to be proven. Keep an eye on Electrek’s Vision-S guide for further updates as they trickle in.
Apple’s electric vehicle
Like Sony, Apple’s potential electric vehicle makes a lot of sense from a business standpoint. However, while Sony has revealed a tangible concept that is already testing roads, confirmed details of an Apple car leave much to be desired.
Apple’s rumored electric vehicle, known by codename “Project Titan” was birthed as a mere conversation amongst Apple execs back in 2007. The electronics juggernaut decided to focus on a new product called the iPhone instead (you may have heard of it). With booming sales around innovations like the iPod, Macbook, and Apple Watch, the company shelved the car project… mostly.
In early 2016, Apple had reportedly registered several domain names including Project Titan. Furthermore, it hired automotive developers and executives from other companies, in addition to buying up real estate in areas where other vehicles were being manufactured. At the same time, Apple began developing and testing its own autonomous driving technologies.
The latest Apple car news
Naturally, this re-stoked the fire of rumor and innuendo surrounding an electric vehicle from Apple. Still, no real news had come of it. That is until reports emerged last December about plans by Apple to continue developing autonomous driving technology. It now hopes to produce its own passenger vehicle to showcase by 2024. Most recently, Apple admitted to holding talks with EV startup Canoo, about developing its own car. However, the companies stopped negotiations after Canoo entered the NASDAQ stock exchange last December.
That’s really all we know so far. Truthfully, Apple could still pull the plug on the entire project and never release an electric vehicle. Or it could re-narrow its scope toward autonomous driving software to license to other automakers. Time will tell. For now, the internet is left to daydream about what an Apple EV would look like, or what it may cost. Most importantly, whether or not it will come with a charging cable. In the meantime, bookmark Electrek’s Apple Car guide to stay in the know.
Foxconn might not be a household name compared to the likes of Apple and Sony. However, it remains a major player in electronics technology, and one of the more recent companies to venture into electric vehicles. In fact, Taiwan-based Foxconn Technologies Group is the third-largest tech company on the planet by revenue. It trails behind only Samsung and Apple.
Speaking of Apple, Foxconn manufactures and assembles the iPhone and iPad as well as the Playstation from Sony. Even if you haven’t heard of Foxconn, you’ve definitely used many of their products. The newest product Foxconn is developing is robotic dancing shoes… kidding, it’s obviously electric vehicles.
Last year, Foxconn announced a partnership with Fiat Chrysler to jointly manufacture electric vehicles for the Chinese market. This added to Foxconn’s previous investments in electric rideshare companies and battery manufacturers like CATL.
Geely and Byton
Foxconn also formed a joint venture with Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. The two agreed to work together with a focus on electrification, connectivity, and autonomous driving in addition to rideshare technologies. This is an example of one of the umbrella deals mentioned at the beginning of this post. Geely brings automotive experience in design, engineering, and manufacturing, while Foxconn offers experience in manufacturing and communication technology… plus capital.
On top of that, Foxconn also announced plans to help a struggling Chinese EV startup called Byton build its M-Byte SUV. Foxconn’s plan is to help Byton ramp up mass production of its first EV model. This is after it had to cease operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With Foxconn’s investment, the two plan to bring the M-Byte to market within the year.
Foxconn is laying chips upon various numbers on the EV roulette table, hoping something hits big. Unlike Sony focusing on one electric vehicle, or Apple maybe developing one or maybe not…Foxconn is pursuing tie-ups with multiple car companies that cannot afford to develop their own EVs. A major manufacturer like Foxconn could leverage its long relationships with companies like Apple or Sony. Then use those relationships to eventually make EVs for them.
Baidu is a Chinese search engine giant, focused on expanding toward much more. New media platforms from fellow Chinese companies like ByteDance are offering their own search feature. As a result, the share of advertising revenue amongst traditional search engines has begun to diminish.
This has led Baidu to turn its focus to new revenue streams. This includes artificial intelligence, mapping services, and you guessed it, electric vehicles. Baidu has focused tirelessly on autonomous driving technologies for several years. In fact, its Apollo ecosystem has garnered over a hundred partnerships with various manufactures and suppliers. This includes Toyota, Ford, and Volkswagen. Furthermore, the internet company has been dabbling in robotaxis using its Apollo software.
In early 2021, Baidu announced it was expanding from software development into physical EV production. The company joined forces with Geely (sound familiar?) to produce electric vehicles. Similar to the Foxconn deal, Baidu will provide its technologies like Apollo and Baidu Maps. Geely will handle the vehicle design, R&D, manufacturing, sales, and service.
This joint venture is still only weeks old. There aren’t further details as to what the company will be called or if multiple vehicles will be developed at this point. Geely is clearly busy with multiple partnerships worldwide. It’s tough to say how much bandwidth the automaker has and what its top priorities are. Trust that Electrek will keep you updated as Geely moves forward in production with Baidu, Foxconn, and anyone else who wants to join the party.
Electric Vehicles by Sony, Apple, or Baidu make sense
Hopefully at this point, you’ve gathered better insight as to why it makes sense for companies like Sony, Apple, and Baidu to try their hand at electric vehicles. Furthermore, it’s easy to see why we will more than likely see more of these trends moving forward. It’s a safe bet that the electric vehicle market will only grow at this point.
Tesla has already achieved proof of concept, so anticipate an “all-aboard” mentality for EV startups attempting to follow suit. Major tech companies will provide the funding, technology, and other resources to help EV rivals reach mass production. In return, they hope to gain a share of the revenue. This is already happening in Asia with companies like Foxconn and Alibaba and is sure to gain steam worldwide.
Consumers have very little to lose when it comes to new EV expansion. Competition
fuels powers innovation… or something like that.
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BANGKOK (Xinhua): General Wall Motors (GWM), a leading automobile manufacturer of China, will start its production in Thailand next year with a capacity of 80,000 units a year, said Thailand's Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit on Wednesday (Sept 23).
With over 3,000 artefacts, this museum holds the vast history of the Royal Malaysia Police.
WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - California plans to ban the sale of new gasoline powered passenger cars and trucks starting in 2035 as the top U.S. auto market shifts to electric vehicles to reduce climate-warming emissions, Governor Gavin Newsom said on Wednesday.
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday to ban the sale of new gasoline-fueled cars and passenger trucks in the most populous state in the United States by 2035, aggressively moving the Golden State further away from its reliance on climate change-causing fossil fuels.
BANGKOK, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- General Wall Motors (GWM), a leading automobile manufacturer of China, will start its production in Thailand next year with a capacity of 80,000 units a year, said Thailand's Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit on Wednesday.
KUALA LUMPUR: City police will conduct a special operation and hold meetings with jewellers and money changers following a jewellery heist at the Sungai Besi Expressway.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Reuters) - Louisville braced for a second night of protests on Thursday after two police officers were shot during demonstrations over a decision by a grand jury not to file homicide charges against police in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor.
LONDON (Reuters) - British trucks could face delays of up to two days to enter Europe and queues of around 7,000 lorries after Britain leaves the bloc at the end of this year, disrupting imports and exports of crucial goods, the government has warned.
Nikola Corp founder and former Chairman Trevor Milton appears to have deleted his Twitter account days after resigning from the company’s board amid federal probes about allegations of deception.
DOUALA (Reuters) - One protester was killed in Cameroon as police and gendarmes put down protests against the veteran President Paul Biya, the country's main opposition party said on Tuesday, while accusing security forces of laying siege to their leader's home.


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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Saturday backed the Federal Government’s decision to close Nigeria’s borders with some neighbouring countries over illegal trade.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Services ( NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (retd), had said at a recent forum in Abuja that Nigeria’s borders would remain closed until the country and its neighbours agree on existing ECOWAS protocol on movement.
He said that by closing the borders, Nigeria was able to completely block the importation of contraband.
“We are able to completely block the influxes of illicit goods, and most importantly, stopped the exportation of petroleum product which is the biggest problem we have,” Ali said.
However, Nigerians have condemned the government’s decision to close its borders over strains on the country’s economy.
Just last week, a cargo firm transporting tons of goods across the West Africa sub-region, Kobo 360, claimed President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s decision to close Nigeria’s land borders has led to a 28 percent drop in its clientele base.
But the Director of the African Department at the IMF, Mr Abebe Selassie, told journalists at the ongoing World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, United States, that the organisation completely understands the reasons behind the Nigerian government’s decision to close the country’s borders.
Read also: CBN bars debtors from buying treasury bills
He was responding to a question on whether the closure negates the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Selassie said although free trade was critical to the economic growth of the continent, it must be legal and in line with agreements.
He said: “On the border closure in Nigeria which has been impacting Benin and Niger, our understanding is that the action reflects concerns about smuggling that has been taking place.
“It is about illegal trade, which is not what you want to facilitate.”
According to him, IMF was hoping for a speedy resolution of the issues as the action was already taking a toll on Nigeria neighbours’ economies.
“We are very hopeful that discussions will resolve the challenges that this illegal trade is posing.
“If the border closure is to be sustained for a long time, it will definitely have an impact on Benin and Niger,” the IMF official added.
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- NSE: Mansard, Neimeth Cadbury lead gainers as market adds N21bn - May 29, 2020


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Amazon has begun its countdown to Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when oodles of bargains are to be had, including for the latest electronics from tablets to computers to phones and TVs.
Beating the Black Friday rush, Amazon has already set up an online Black Friday store, where the retailer says, "Black Friday isn't until the day after Thanksgiving, but since you're here already, looking for Black Friday deals, we got the deals going a little early. We're counting down to Black Friday Deals Week with, yes, even more deals, all day, every day."
Retailers, always looking for an edge, have already started leaking or releasing Black Friday circulars, as documented on bargain hunters' websites such as BFads.net. The site has begun issuing email alerts with mammoth new toy catalogs and early deals from tech vendors such as Dell.
Amazon is luring early-bird shoppers with daily deals by email and by teasing deals on its site, including those coming up and those you just missed. Amazon plans a full slate of Black Friday sales as part of its daily Gold Box and Lightning Deal promotions on Thanksgiving week, and nearer term, is already offering deals on things such as iPad screen protectors and a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 camera ($250, which is half price). BFads.net notes that many Lightning deals really do disappear in a flash.
As we wrote last year, retailers increasingly are making even Thanksgiving Day a big shopping day, giving prospective buyers an incentive to sneak away from the relatives, turkey and football games to do a little bit of e-commerce. And if you're not all worn out and broke by the time the weekend after Thanksgiving rolls around, retailers will be back on Cyber Monday with a slew more of bargains.
The National Retail Federation expects holiday shopping to rise 4.1% this season to $586.1 billion and says more than half of consumers plan to shop online -- a new high.
Bob Brown tracks network research in his Alpha Doggs blog and Facebook page, as well on Twitter and Google +.
Read more about data center in Network World's Data Center section.


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Companies in Missouri are roasting each other in the brutal road sign war that’s been talked about on Facebook.
McDonald’s in Marshfield, Missouri began the fight by simply asking, “Hey DQ! Do you want to have a sign war?”
A nearby Dairy Queen accepted the challenge and replied, “We are busy making ice cream.”
McDonald’s replied, “It’s cute that our ice cream makes it our own.”
So far, the front and back between the chains is pretty mediocre, but this is … a chilly time.
“You mean it actually works,” Dairy Queen replied, adding “Shocker.”
This is probably a reference Many years of jokes (And even more Recent Report from the Federal Trade Commission) McFlurry machines are often out of order.
“Wow, salty,” McDonald’s replied, “like our world-famous French fries,” self-promoting.
Other small businesses in the area have also joined the ribs, adding their own spins to some of the thorns that have been exchanged back and forth.
A local bank wrote, “Is the ice cream machine broken? There is a loan for it.”
The Roasting road signs Shared on the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. According to themHas reached over 1 million people on social media platforms.
Randy Bryant, McDonald’s Local Operations Director, said: Ozark First: “Marshfield is a very intimate community. We are all like a family here. Mario on our team had a great idea to get all this started! He said,” It’s hot. , The world is challenging and negative to everyone, “so we all found a way to laugh and have fun as a community. And what’s better than the old-fashioned sign war? “


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Fred Wilson, early investor in Twitter, even said, ‘The lesson from the internet is that anything China bans, invest in.’
For all the bitcoin doubters it means they can finally put their money where their mouth is and short bitcoin.
If you haven’t come across bitcoin or cryptocurrencies in the past few months, then you’ve clearly had no contact with civilisation. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has been talking about this stuff.
Bitcoin now trades above US$7,100, making fortunes in the process. So what should you do with this new found wealth? Why not try and make more on classic sports cars?
The contentious SegWit2x fork for bitcoin has stalled. In fact, it could be called off entirely. The proposal was aiming to double bitcoin’s block size to two megabytes. A move that had divided the bitcoin community.
The energy industry is one of the first to commercially adapt blockchain technology on a global scale. First it was the banks chasing this tech. Now the oil and gas sector wants in.
Bitcoin surged up to around US$7,700 after this announcement. That is almost US$1,000 over the amount it was trading a week before. It has since dropped and is now trading at around US$7,350.
We are glad and, at the same time, regretful that we have launched two cryptocurrency services. However, we like to think that by giving folks advice, and educating them on the sector, they’ve become wiser about how it all works.
Not only is the idea of bitcoin easy to get behind, the underlying blockchain technology of the coin is set to revolutionise how businesses record and store information.
The good thing is the hype is true. The benefits of bitcoin are real, and that they will usher in a long-term financial revolution. If you can see the fundamental promise of what bitcoin is designed for and what it delivers, then you’ll see that price is somewhat irrelevant.


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Winston Churchill slippers bought for £40,000 at auction
A pair of velvet slippers worn by former UK Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, has sold for almost £40,000! The slippers go b...
Mar 11, 2021
Angelina Jolie sells Winston Churchill painting for US$11.5M
A Moroccan landscape painted by Winston Churchill and owned by Angelina Jolie sold at auction on Monday for more than US$11.5 mill...
by BUZZ Contributor
Mar 02, 2021
18-karat gold toilet snatched from British palace
One of Britain’s most expensive toilets has gone missing. The BBC reports the Thames Valley Police as saying that members of a g...
by BUZZ Writer
Sep 14, 2019
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Last week, the state of New Jersey released ITS latest sales figures, which show that adult-use cannabis sales surpassed $100 million for the first time during the third quarter of this fiscal year. New Jersey’s adult-use market was officially launched in April of this year. During the first 10 weeks of sales, the state raked in almost $5 million in cannabis tax revenue.
The state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission reported that adult-use marijuana sales between July and September totaled $116,572,533. This represents a 46% increase from the $79,698,831 recorded in the second quarter. Medical cannabis sales also grew slightly, moving to $61,138,231 from the $59,262,014 recorded in the previous quarter. In total, recreational and medical marijuana purchases in New Jersey added up to $177, 710, 764.
In a press release, the executive director of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, Jeff Brown, stated that this was only the beginning of what was possible for marijuana. He explained that the commission had awarded 36 licenses for recreational marijuana businesses to entrepreneurs in the state, including 15 annual licenses for dispensaries.mBrown noted that greater competition and more locations would significantly grow the market while also growing marijuana’s consumer base and reducing product prices.
Dianna Houenou, the chairwoman of the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission, stated that the commission looked forward to seeing local, small entrepreneurs taking part in this profitable market. Houenou added that new initiatives and the priority application process that will be launched in 2023 by the New Jersey Business Action Center would make it easier for more individuals to be included in the market.
Officials also expect the state’s industry to expand as more licenses for public marijuana consumption areas are approved. These areas offer a social- use option to patients and adults. Regulators in New Jersey approved regulations for this type of license a few weeks ago.
Recently, an assembly committee in New Jersey passed a measure that would offer state-level protections for insurers and banks that worked with licensed cannabis businesses. This comes after the full assembly passed a resolution a few months ago that would permit licensed cannabis businesses to deduct specific expenses on their state tax returns. This is said to be a partial remedy as the industry is still hindered from making federal deductions under Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code.
In other news, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey revealed that the state planned to revisit the criminalization of homegrown cannabis for personal use in the future, after the commercial market had matured. The possibility of revising the marijuana law in New Jersey to allow home cultivation of the plant, if implemented, could expose NJ residents to modern indoor cultivation equipment for enterprises such as Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX).
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/ACTX
CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.
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Leading central bankers are banding together to come up with solutions to the Libor interest rate-rigging scandal, a sign of growing alarm at the Bank of England, the Federal Reserve and elsewhere about the widening fallout.
Mervyn King, the governor of the Bank of England, sent a letter Wednesday to other central bankers asking for a dinner Sept. 9 in Basel, Switzerland, to discuss Libor's shortcomings, according to a person familiar with the contents of the letter. Mr. King said in the letter that it is now "very clear that radical reforms of the Libor system are needed," this person said.
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- A landlord and tenant in Argentina signed the country's first-ever bitcoin-based rental contract.
- It may be the first contract of its kind in the world.
- New regulation in Argentina allows bitcoin to be used as a valid currency in contracts.
According to the local media outlet Paginal12, last week the owner and tenant of an apartment in Rosario, Argentina's third-largest city, signed a rental agreement stipulating that rent should be paid monthly in bitcoin, the most widely used cryptocurrency in the world.
According to Paginal12, the agreed-upon monthly rent corresponded to 100 Tether (USDT), a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar.
The rent will therefore equate to $100 in American currency.
The payments will be made via the Fiwind platform, which both parties are active members of, the company told Paginal12.
A company spokesperson told Paginal12 that it is the first agreement of its kind, "at least in Argentina."
Florencia Feldman, Fiwind's marketing lead, told BI that some people have asked why an individual would prefer to have bitcoins instead of tether.
"The truth is, it's a personal decision," she said. "We assume that it may be related to the expectation that, in 2024, the price of bitcoin is anticipated to rise due to the halving and other factors, such as the approval of SEC on bitcoin ETFs."
This latest move follows the approval of a law last month by the government of Argentina's new, pro-bitcoin president, Javier Milei. The law allows bitcoin to be used as a valid currency in official contracts.
In recent years, Argentinians have increasingly embraced cryptocurrencies as the local currency, the peso, has eroded in value amid soaring inflation.
Cryptocurrency experts believe that the use of bitcoin in contracts could signal a major step toward crypto being used more widely in the country, according to the financial news outlet FX Empire.
Check out Business Insider's picks for best cryptocurrency exchanges


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Australia’s position as the biggest legal producer of opium poppies is expected to grow as the federal government allows expansion from Tasmania into other states.
“GM crops are as safe as the conventional crops," Mr Kruithoff said in an interview with Nine’s Financial Review Sunday program.
Monsanto, which supplies more than 90 per cent of the world’s GM seeds, said the company did not operate in the poppy market. But he said Australia’s “patchwork" regulatory system on GM did not make sense.
Tasmania supplies about half the opiate material used in the $US40 billion ($45.6 billion) global pain relief market – producing drugs such as oxycontin, morphine and codeine. Two international pharmaceutical giants have dominated here from the beginning – Tasmanian Alkaloids, which is a division of Johnson & Johnson, and GlaxoSmithKline. Australian-owned
TPI managing director
TPI has spearheaded a push to grow poppies outside Tasmania, with trial sites in Victoria and the Northern Territory.
Mr Ritchie wants the GM ban to stay, saying poppy seeds are sold as a food product.
“Fifty per cent of the weight of a poppy capsule are poppy seeds that we consume in the culinary market," he told the program. “The poppy seed very much is a food product and that goes to the European market, which is very anti-GM at this point."
Poppy Growers Tasmania president
“GM in poppies is very different – it’s a unique case. None of the ideological arguments that are anti-GM apply for poppies because it’s not a farmer-owned seed bank and it is completely excluded from the food chain by extreme regulation."
Poppy farmer John Brown also wants the ban lifted.
“If you get an old wild poppy growing in a poppy crop, you cannot destroy it," he said. “So therefore, it will halve your crop. But if you were allowed to spray it, and it was GM, you’d be able to kill the old poppy and only keep the crop you want."
The Australian Financial Review


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With growing acceptance from homebuyers on the price premium factors accorded to well-conceptualised projects with site and locational attributes, the private residential market has witnessed a price divergence between new and resale homes.
In 2019, the average price of new sale condominiums and apartments sold in the CCR stood at $2,950 psf – 40 per cent above the average transacted price for resale units, which hovered around $2,105 psf (see table). In 2018, the price premium for new sale transactions in the CCR is 35 per cent.
Table: Average Prices and Price Gaps between New Sale and Resale transactions – Condominiums & Apartments
Source: REALIS (as at 5 February 2020), EDMUND TIE Research
Alice Tan, senior director of research and consulting commented that many new apartment and condominium launches in 2019 offer exciting design concepts in good locations which have attracted more buyers and garnered acceptance for new price levels. Additionally, buyers from the high-net-worth community prioritise prestige, locational attributes and project quality over price and this explains the encouraging take-up rates of new project launches despite the prevailing cooling measures.
She added that some new launches were on land sites secured by developers during the 2017/2018 collective sales fever, as well as on government land sale sites in popular locations. Those sites were therefore acquired at elevated land costs, which translated into correspondingly higher launch prices at new benchmark levels in their respective locales. This has contributed to widening price gaps between the primary and secondary markets across CCR, RCR and OCR in 2019, as compared to 2018.
Transactions recorded for new sale apartments and condominiums at premium prices mainly originate from projects at desirable locations, such as in prime districts, within proximity to MRT stations, the Central Business District (CBD) and growth areas such as the Greater Southern Waterfront and Bugis precincts. In prime Districts 9 and 10, and in central locations in Districts 1 and 7, home prices have exceeded $3,000 psf, with some large units being transacted even at this quantum on a per sq ft basis.
Will the trend continue for 2020?
For 2020, which will see ample new supply coming on-stream and demand staying positive, it has been anticipated that the price differential between the primary and resale non-landed markets to remain at the 40 to 45 per cent range.
“With up to 20 new projects in the CCR slated for launch in 2020 and robust demand from buyers seeking quality homes in desirable locations, we expect new homes to continue commanding a sizeable premium above their resale counterparts,” said Alice.
In response to the current uncertainties, developers are adopting a wait-and-see stance by pacing out their launches and rolling out their projects at opportune times when the Wuhan virus situation stabilises.
Some developers could possibly exercise a “phased plus premium approach” to their pricing strategy, initially launching at attractive prices in the early phase, and then stepping up their offer prices subsequently for premium units or when the market sentiment improves.
Also given Singapore’s reputation as a safe haven with stable fundamentals, the high net worth community is likely to resume their investment activities after the virus situation stabilises, and set their sights on investing in prime residential property in Singapore.
Therefore, it is anticipated that the current price gaps across the three market segments to be maintained for 2020 at least, notwithstanding prevailing headwinds and challenges posed by the Wuhan virus outbreak.
CCR new sale prices are poised to be sustained at current prices for 2020, albeit with modest adjustments depending on how market sentiment pans out. RCR new sale projects could see some uplift in transactions as some buyers could opt for city fringe projects for better value over prime locations, while OCR new sale projects are likely to sustain its sales performance as home upgraders seize the opportunity to purchase suburban private homes at current prices, which are acceptable in light of the low interest rates.


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Snapchat recently announced that the company is rolling out the My AI chatbot to users worldwide – a decision that comes after its initial launch exclusively for Snapchat+ subscribers two months ago.
With these users sending the AI bot nearly two million messages per day, the function is already proving to be a popular feature among Snapchatters.
Think of My AI as a Snapified ChatGBT.
With its own Bitmoji, the bot sits at the top of the app’s chat page, looking like any other Snapchat user. However, with My AI adhering to Snap’s company community guidelines, it has more restrictions than other AI bots like ChatGBT.
“The training process was designed to avoid amplifying harmful or inaccurate information,” Snapchat’s website reads. “The model was also fine-tuned to reduce biases in language and to prioritise factual information — though it may not always be successful.”
That being said, Snapchat’s version of AI gives the chatbot a personality. And as My AI expands its user base, several new features are coming that only add to the bot’s persona. For instance, My AI can suggest lenses and recommend activities and places from the Snap Map.
Snap has also enabled users to design their own Bitmoji and give a name to their My AI. Users can even add the chatbot to group chats with friends, making interactions more customised and engaging.
“Simply @ mention My AI and ask a question on behalf of the group,” Snap Inc shares in a press release. “It will be clear when an AI has entered the chat and includes a sparkle next to its name.”
Keeping in line with Snapchat as a visual-first app, My AI will soon be able to respond to chats from Snapchat+ users with images.
Looks like AI might really be the future of social media.


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The battle of tech in insurance – the metaverse, Gen AI...
Generative AI, the metaverse and quantum computing are three of the most exciting emerging technologies currently in the market. Rather than being left behind by competition, insurance leaders urge companies to experiment with the technology to explore how they can make the most of it.
Which RegTech leaders could stand out in 2023?
One of the fastest-growing technologies in recent years has been the area of regulatory technology, better known as RegTech. Going into 2023, who are...
How can companies become more compliant with Consumer Duty?
The FCA recently introduced Consumer Duty regulation, which aims to ensure customers receive communications from financial services firms that they understand. How can firms become more compliant with it?
The technologies leading the way in fighting financial crime
In a world where financial crime is becoming ever more prevalent, the need to develop technologies to control is becoming ever more imperative. What are some of the technologies leading the way?
Moody’s Corporation purchases pair of RegTech companies
Moody’s Corporation has acquired compliance automation platform PassFort and is set to purchase 360kompany, an onboarding technology developer.


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Blackstone Executive Vice Chairman Tony James says he's less optimistic now than before that the U.S.-China trade war could be resolved, but even a smaller deal could help...World Economyread more
The massive market transformation this month that some on Wall Street called a "once in a decade opportunity" might have just been a one-off technical move because of taxes.Marketsread more
The Pentagon will deploy U.S. forces to the Middle East on the heels of the attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities, United States Secretary of Defense Mark Esper announced...Defenseread more
CNBC did a deep dive through the most recent Wall Street research to find stocks that analysts say are underappreciated.Marketsread more
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The settlement replaces a fine of roughly $778 million imposed by Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission in 2017, when it accused the U.S. firm of refusing to sell chips to mobile handset makers that wouldn't agree to its patent-licensing terms.
It was also accused of cutting iPhone maker Apple a royalty discount in exchange for the exclusive use of Qualcomm's modem chips in the past.
Under the settlement, Qualcomm will have to provide reports every six months to Taiwanese officials for five years to show it is negotiating in good faith with handset makers in patent-licensing deals.
Moreover, Qualcomm will be required to offer patent licenses to rival chipmakers such as Intel and MediaTek on fair terms before seeking to enforce its patent rights against them in court. Qualcomm also is in the midst of appealing a $927 million fine from the Korea Fair Trade Commission and a $1.2 billion fine from the European Commission. It also faces a lawsuit from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and is in a wide-ranging legal dispute with Apple.
As part of the Taiwanese settlement, Qualcomm will continue to be allowed to charge a royalty based on the selling price of a handset — a core part of its licensing model that Apple and others have objected to.
Because the settlement replaces the original decision and fine, other anti-trust regulators and legal foes will now be less likely to be able to use the commission's findings as a basis for their own legal actions.
Mediatek said the Commission's decision failed to protect a fair competitive environment as Qualcomm was not required to adjust its business model of charging a royalty fee.
"It will have negative impact on Taiwan's 5G industry and therefore hurt Taiwan's global competitiveness," the company said in a statement on Friday.
As part of the deal Qualcomm said it had agreed to build new manufacturing and operations facilities in Taiwan and work with Taiwan universities and start-ups on technology initiatives around so-called 5G technology, the next generation of wireless networks.
Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission said that amounted to an investment pledge of $700 million over five years.
"With the uncertainty removed, we can now focus on expanding our relationships that support the Taiwanese wireless industry and rapid adoption of 5G technology," Alex Rogers, Qualcomm's patent licensing chief, said in a statement.


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SweetWater Brewing Co. is “firing on all cylinders,” says cofounder Freddy Bensch. The Atlanta-based brewery saw its volume increase 34 percent to 192,400 barrels last year, and while 2015 numbers weren’t available at press time, Bensch reports continued gains.
SweetWater is America’s 18th-largest craft brewer, according to the Brewers Association, and has distribution in 18 states and Washington, D.C. The company’s footprint is mainly in the Southeast—Georgia is its top market—but spreads as far as Connecticut, Illinois, Texas and Colorado.
Bensch began working in the craft beer business in the early 1990s as a student at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He and his roommate Kevin McNerney moved to Atlanta in 1996. With loans and help from family and friends, the pair opened SweetWater on the west side of town in 1997, naming the company after the local Sweetwater Creek, where they often kayaked. In 2004, the brewery moved to its current location in midtown Atlanta. McNerney left SweetWater after 12 years, but occasionally collaborates on special brews. About three years ago, SweetWater completed a $19 million expansion of its brewery, increasing capacity to 400,000 barrels.
The executive team at SweetWater has also expanded in recent years. Kim Jones joined the company as CFO in 2013, following senior financial and management positions with Spanx Inc. and The Coca-Cola Co. Last year, Jones was promoted to CEO, and Bill Waters, the former chief strategy officer at Molson Coors, replaced her as CFO. In 2014, private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners acquired a minority stake in the brewery. “TSG has a history of working with many consumer goods companies, and that experience makes for a good fit,” Waters says.
SweetWater is now positioning itself for sizeable growth and national distribution. While Waters says the Atlanta brewery can be expanded to a capacity of 600,000 barrels without significant investment, the company is also scouting locations for second and third breweries. SweetWater purchased equipment—including a fully automated 130-barrel brewhouse—from the closed Pyramid Brewery in Berkeley, California, last year, and Waters says the company will open a second brewery in the western United States in 2017. “While we’re continuing to develop the East Coast, it’s time for us to also start looking out west,” Bensch says, adding that the recently purchased equipment will eventually allow SweetWater to produce an additional 420,000 barrels a year. “It’s almost identical to what we use in Georgia and gives us a great head start on moving westward.”
In addition, last fall SweetWater began searching for a site for a third brewery in the central United States. Bensch notes that the addition of two new breweries in different regions is an effort to get the freshest beer to customers. “We want to distribute across the nation,” he explains. “Having breweries in the central and western areas of the United States will result in shorter trips and decrease our carbon footprint.”
SweetWater’s year-round offerings include SweetWater 420 extra pale ale, SweetWater IPA, Take Two Pils, Hop Hash Double IPA, Blue blueberry ale and Georgia brown ale, sold in six- or 12-packs of 12-ounce bottles or cans, as well as 16-ounce single cans (pricing varies by market). Waters says 420 and SweetWater IPA are the company’s top two brands by volume, and the IPA is its fastest-growing brew. The company also produces the limited or seasonal “Catch N’ Release” series (pricing varies), which includes the experimental, one-time-only “Dank Tank” line.
The “Cork N’ Cage” series of high-gravity brews is based on classic styles. These beers are packaged in 750-ml. bottles (pricing varies), and current releases include a Bourbon Barrel–Aged imperial stout. “The first limited release from the series, the Pit & the Pendulum, was so popular that we decided to add it to our regular rotation,” Waters notes. Like other craft brewers, SweetWater has begun canning some of its beers. “We’ve seen great consumer acceptance of this packaging,” Water says. “Cans are an important part of the mix now.”
SweetWater is unique among craft brewers for using the resin by-product that’s scraped from hop pelletizers—known as “hop hash”—in some of its brews. “Due to the favorable response to Hop Hash and the India brown ale Hash Brown, we’ll be releasing a new seasonal offering that’s also infused with hop hash,” Jones says, noting that the beer could be released as early as this spring. “We’re extremely excited about this new series and about the fact that we’re one of the only breweries, if not the only one, using hop hash.”
The on-premise comprises about 60 percent of SweetWater’s sales, with draft beer accounting for about 40 percent of the total. “Bar operators are aware of the brand’s power now,” Jones says. But she notes that the brewery is also making strides off-premise, particularly with grocery chains like Kroger and Publix.
SweetWater’s motto is “Don’t float the mainstream,” which encourages consumers to “do their own thing,” according to Jones. She and Bensch say the lifestyle and authenticity associated with SweetWater permeate its marketing support and help the company connect with consumers. “Interfacing with our fans is important,” Bensch says. “The best way to deliver that experience is to get folks to the brewery so they can feel the vibe. It’s also important to build goodwill in communities where folks are drinking our beer.”
Marketing support generally focuses on brewery and community events, social media, and consumer education. The company has hosted the annual SweetWater 420 Festival, a celebration of music, the environment and craft beer, in Atlanta since 2004, and the 12th festival is planned for this April. The company’s Save Our Water campaign—which includes sales of its Waterkeeper hefeweizen, as well as a boating event called the Big Float—helps raise funds and awareness to keep waterways clean. The events are promoted via on- and off-premise merchandising, and Jones notes that the brewery strives to educate both retailers and consumers about craft beer. “More drinkers are converting to craft,” she says. “Because it’s becoming a more crowded space, consumer education is increasingly important.”
Waters concedes that the proliferation of new craft breweries has created a more competitive environment. However, that challenge has pushed SweetWater to be sharper in its day-to-day operations, as well as in driving innovation. “We think interest in craft beer is a great thing, and we’re well positioned to capitalize on it,” Waters adds.
Bensch agrees that SweetWater’s trajectory is bright. “We believe that the craft industry will continue to grow,” he says. “For us, that growth is about getting the freshest beer into more hands, as well as building relationships with consumers and communities.”


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(GS Home Shopping)
Local hotels, pushed to the brink amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, are reaching out to TV shopping channels with discounted package deals.
Four Points by Sheraton Seoul Namsan, a business hotel in central Seoul, will go on air on Shinsegae TV Shopping channel over the weekend, selling a package deal for 60,000 won ($49.50)
The hotel is managed by local hotel brand Shinsegye Chosun Hotel under retail mogul Shinsegae. Those who purchase the deal, with more than 50 percent discount, can make a reservation for a night’s stay until Oct. 4.
On May 24, InterContinental Seoul Coex joined hands with GS Home Shopping, going on-air to sell discounted packages. The packages, offering a night stay at the hotel’s Superior Room and breakfast for two, were priced between 129,000 won to 169,000 won, marking a 50 percent discount from the regular prices. A total of 18,000 packages were sold.
(Shinsegye Chosun Hotel)
It was the first time for a five-star luxury hotel in Seoul to sell its rooms via a TV shopping channel. It also offered a 35 percent discount coupon for its restaurants and bars, along with a late check-out service.
Lotte Home Shopping recorded a sold out last month, when it aired the sales of lifestyle hotel brand L7’s discounted packages. The package deal allowed customers to make a reservation for the hotel’s branches across Seoul from Myeong-dong to Gangnam and Hongdae. In 52 minutes, the show was sold-out, selling 7,700 packages.
By Im Eun-byel (firstname.lastname@example.org)


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Back in June when Microsoft first made the world aware of the new Windows Phone 8 software, the company mentioned plenty of new features they plan to implement. Features like more display resolutions supported, multi-core chipsets and the support for microSD cards. What we were not told was when the new operating system was going to be released. The rumor mill has started up on this one and according to ZDNet; the Windows Phone 8 will be released to manufacturing stage in the month of September, with the first devices powered by the OS coming in November. Putting new handsets with new operating systems and new features out in November is one sure way to get a boost in sales during the holiday shopping season.
Microsoft has only gone as far as saying the operating system will launch in the fall. The company has reportedly talked about launching the Windows 8 software on October 26th, so many assumed that would be a good time to launch the Windows Phone 8 software as well. Whether Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 come in October or November the company can really make some waves and drum up some excitement for the launch of both systems. The only official comments that were made came from Nokia CEO, Stephen Elop and he said that “the coming release of the Windows Phone 8 software in October…..would further lift the sales of Lumia devices”.
Nokia had recently reported some very poor sales numbers of their Lumia series handsets in the second quarter, but at the same time, online reports show that Elop did say “Lumia activations were flat to up in the weeks following Windows Phone 8 announcements”, so that is good news for Nokia and the Lumia handset. The fact that existing Windows Phone 7 mobile apps will also run on the new Windows Phone 8 software is also a bonus for the small percentage that own a Windows Phone powered device.
Currently there are options if you want to give the Windows Phone operating system a try. Handsets powered by the software include the Nokia Lumia 900, HTC Titan II, the LG Miracle, ZTE Orbit and the Samsung Omnia M. New devices that are in the pipeline that are rumored to run on the new Windows Phone 8 software include the HTC Rio, Accord and Zenith.
Techno Bloom is one of the fastest growing technology news and reviews resources on the Web. We reach millions of readers a year and deliver breaking technology news, editorial content, product reviews and more. We invite you to join the community.


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The Portuguese Association of Beer Producers (APCV) expressed on Saturday "deep disappointment" with the new increase of 3% of the tax on beer, arguing that the sector should be protected, similarly to what happens with the wine.
According to the proposal of the State Budget for 2017 (OE2017), sent on Friday to the parliament, the Government will again increase in the next year, the tax on beer, spirits and liqueur wines, on 3%.
To the APCV, this new increase is a "deep disappointment", being "unjustifiable" that the sector of the beer "is not preserved in a tax efficient way, while strategic sector to protect, and vital to the national economy, similarly to what has made and continues to make with the industry of wine."
in addition, the industry also do not realize that the beer has "a tax treatment identical to that of imported beverages and with reduced expression of the row, in Portugal, as is the case of spirits/hard alcohol".
in This sense, the association that represents the companies of domestic beer and the brewers craft national, will ask the parliamentary groups in the Assembly of the Republic, which is reviewed at the headquarters of the specialty what it considers to be a "huge situation of lawlessness tax between the different sectors producers of alcoholic beverages".


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COINBASE ONE: THE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE NOW LIVE
Coinbase, the cryptocurrency exchange company, has officially launched its subscription service, Coinbase One, in the US, UK, Germany, and Ireland, with plans to roll out in 31 more countries in the coming months. The program was available in beta since November 2021, but now it brings benefits like no trading fees (under a per-user trading volume limit), boosted staking rewards, and more.
THE NEW RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COINBASE AND ITS CUSTOMERS
Coinbase’s senior director of product management, Phil McDonnell, stated that when the company started, it was all about trading, and the relationship with the customers was transactional. However, the company wanted customers to stay, particularly when there was a decrease in active traders due to the weaker crypto market. That’s why the subscription service could help with more recurring revenue streams and provide customers with more reasons to stick around.
COINBASE’S STRUGGLE WITH REGULATORY BATTLES
The launch of Coinbase One can also help the company with the expenses related to the regulatory battles Coinbase is facing, which can be expensive. The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) fined the company a $50 million penalty for anti-money laundering laws violations, plus a requirement to spend another $50 million on compliance. Additionally, Coinbase is currently under investigation by the US Securities and Exchange Commission for alleged securities lawbreaking.
COINBASE INCREDIBLE GROWTH
Despite the regulatory battles, Coinbase’s subscription and services revenue saw 138 percent growth in the first quarter of this year, earning $361.7 million compared to $152 million the previous year. The company is hopeful to continue this growth trend as it expands its subscription service across the world.


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Atari announced today that the sales numbers for Fahrenheit, their newly released and critically acclaimed interactive drama, has hit the upper reaches on the sales charts across Europe. The game was released simultaneously for the PC, Xbox and PS2 on September 16th, and has already hit #1 on the UK and German Xbox charts, as well as the German PS2 charts. In addition it is #2 on all platforms in France and on the PC charts in the UK.
Fahrenheit was originally to be released by Vivendi Universal, but their involvement on the game was cut last November, and Atari was announced as the new publisher the following February. A profitable decision for the company, as Fahrenheit could very well become one of the best-selling adventure games, or rather, interactive dramas, in some time.
Fahrenheit is known as Indigo Prophecy in America. Be sure to join Thursday's developer's chat with David Cage, the game's director.


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Beauty Bakerie’s Cake Mix foundation line, which launched in April this year, has gone viral this week because of a video on the brand’s social media that featured a woman with a rich skin tone swiping a perfectly-matched dark foundation across her arm. The flawless color match isn’t the only impressive thing about Beauty Bakerie, though. Customers have noticed that, instead of ordering the foundation line from lightest to darkest as most brands do, Beauty Bakerie ordered it from darkest to lightest.
“Mmm sooo creamy! Cake Mix Foundation in shade 3,” the video’s caption on Twitter read. “We SERVE 30 shades numbered 1-59 with 1 being the darkest shade.” Following in the footsteps of brands like Fenty Beauty, Revlon, and Lush, who all expanded their foundation lines to include every possible skin tone, Beauty Bakerie has strived to make Cake Mix inclusive.
Unlike other inclusive brands, however, Beauty Bakerie is the first to order their foundation line in this way. Their reasoning is even more important—they want to highlight the importance of darker skin tones and shed light on a major problem in the beauty industry.
"For black women in particular, we are reminded everywhere we go, on a daily basis, multiple times throughout the day, that we are second," said Cashmere Nicole, founder and CEO of Beauty Bakerie, in an interview with Teen Vogue. She made an eye-opening point—the shades for women with darker skin tones are always either on the bottom shelf in a beauty store or at the bottom of a list on a beauty website. Nicole wanted to give these women a chance to be number one.
The video that started the discussion has since been watched over 4.75 million times and liked over 119,000 times. Fans of Beauty Bakerie have expressed their approval and support of the brand’s unorthodox labeling, and some have asked for more insight on why they took this crucial step. Beauty Bakerie wrote in response to one user that we are conditioned to think dark to light is the wrong order, but this isn’t the case at all. Another user jumped in and pointed out that color gradients are always dark to light—so Beauty Bakerie is actually doing it right.
Beauty Bakerie also created other products designed for deeper skin tones, such as their Coffee & Cocoa Bronzer Palette ($38). Nicole was inspired to make the palette by her daughter, Jasmyn. Because the two women have different levels of melanin, Nicole often found bronzers for herself, but not her daughter. She designed Coffee & Cocoa for her daughter and those with a similar skin tone to enjoy.
The Cake Mix foundation line is available for $28 on beautybakerie.com. Are you going to pick up a bottle? Let us know in the comments!


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Fantasy cricket: India’s new obsession is taking the country by storm
More and more Indians, even from the remotest areas of the country, are jumping onto the fantasy gaming bandwagon. Some use it to connect with their friends, while others are doing it to bond with their colleagues.
In India, cricket is no less than a religion. It’s a national phenomenon that has managed to linger for decades. The gentleman’s game is undeniably the most celebrated sport here, bringing together millions from all walks of life.
While India has always been a sports-crazed nation, the enthusiasm around cricket is unmatched. This overwhelming obsession, coupled with increased smartphone penetration, has fueled the exceptional progress of India’s online gaming industry.
According to a recent report jointly released by KPMG and the Indian Federation of Sports Gaming (IFSG), the online gaming market in India is estimated to generate Rs 11,900 crore by 2023. Another report from NASSCOM projects that the domestic mobile gaming industry will be worth $1.1 billion by 2020, with 628 million active users across the country. Quite evidently, the e-gaming industry is all set to grow exponentially in the years to come.
The newfound popularity of fantasy sports leagues in India: a billion dollar industry
Fantasy sports platforms will have a user base of over 100 million by 2020, as per the KPMG-IFSG report titled ‘The Evolving Landscape of Sports Gaming in India’. The report further reveals that 74 percent of respondents play fantasy sports one to three times a week. Whereas, 20 percent stated that they prefer to play fantasy sports as many as five times a week.
These numbers are proof enough to say that fantasy sports gaming is the next big thing for the online gaming industry in India. While non-cricket fantasy sports like football and kabaddi are also gaining traction, the fantasy gaming space is dominated by cricket just like the real world.
Majority of users prefer playing fantasy cricket
Now, the question is, what makes fantasy cricket such a huge hit among people. Apart from the obvious reasons like India’s affinity towards cricket and the ongoing IPL season, the mushrooming of fantasy cricket leagues indicates that multiple factors have contributed towards the growth of this trend. Fantasy cricket offers a sense of control, higher engagement, and most importantly, the chance to win handsome rewards.
And, with a court (Punjab and Haryana High Court) ruling in 2017 that stated money acquired from a fantasy sports platform is legal, more and more Indians are trying their luck in fantasy cricket. Further, the Supreme Court’s decision to declare rummy as a game of skill in 2015 also came as good news. In most Indian states (barring Assam, Odisha and Telangana), skill-based fantasy gaming is completely legal. A welcome relief for companies in this space, as legal clarity has paved the way for India to become the new fantasy gaming hub.
Active participation in the game and direct involvement
Besides providing entertainment, fantasy leagues have enabled sports enthusiasts to participate in the game, where they can make active decisions. In fact, nearly 50 percent respondents in the KPMG-IFSG report listed ‘the ability to manage teams virtually’ as a top reason for playing fantasy games. In fantasy cricket, for example, participants can create a virtual team with 11 players. They will start earning rewards if the chosen players perform well in real-life matches. Unlike gambling, fantasy sports is skill-based as it calls for in-depth expertise about the game.
Drawing interest from all parts of India
Online gaming, up until a decade ago, was limited to those in large metropolitans. Today, however, the scenario has changed drastically. Several studies have shown that the number of gamers in Tier-II cities in India has increased in the past few years.
With rising smartphone usage and easy access to the internet, the fantasy gaming industry has experienced unprecedented interest from small towns and rural areas. Even users from the remotest areas of India have begun participating in skill-based fantasy sports leagues to win some quick money from the comfort of their homes.
A community of like-minded individuals
Millennials (18-35-year-olds) often find it inconvenient to take out time off from their hectic schedules and make plans with friends. Fantasy sports leagues allow them to keep in touch with their old friends over a game of cricket or football. For many, it is also a great way to bond with their colleagues.
The fantasy sports segment, although at a nascent stage, has already started to disrupt the online gaming industry in India. With companies coming up with new innovations to enhance the overall experience, it won’t be long before fantasy gaming takes over the entire nation.
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of YourStory.)


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Sennheiser is getting involved in the augmented reality space. The headphone and audio gear company announced today that it’s partnering with Magic Leap to develop spacial audio accessories for the AR headset’s platform.
It’s specifically joining the “Works with Magic Leap” certification program, which is basically just Magic Leap’s way of ensuring that accessories and tools work as they’re supposed to when interacting with its headset. Sennheiser also hinted that it might have more news to share during Magic Leap’s LEAP conference taking place in Los Angeles next month. Right now, users can hear audio through the headset’s built-in speakers or via headphones plugged into the headphone jack.


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Steve Rowe, the new chief executive of Marks & Spencer, has branded the retailer's long-suffering clothing division "unsatisfactory" after posting another slump in sales.
Marks & Spencer reported a 2.7pc decline in like-for-like sales for the 13 weeks to March 26 in its general merchandise unit, repeating a pattern of falling sales in 18 out of 19 quarters .
However, the result is slightly better than analyst predictions of a 3pc fall in sales and an improvement on the 5.8pc plunge over Christmas.
Mr Rowe said that "turning around our clothing and home business by improving our customer offer is my number one priority".
Earlier this week the new chief executive said that he would continue to manage the general merchandise division, bucking a trend at M&S to have separate heads reporting to the chief executive.
The M&S lifer, who started as a Saturday boy at the retailer's Croydon store 27 years ago, will update on his strategy in May.
Mr Rowe said that he had set his team a number of "exam questions" about the group's clothing division as part of a strategic review that could lead to some of its clothing brands, such as Per Una, Classic, Indigo, Limited Edition and Autograph, being scrapped. Analysts have often criticised M&S's plethora of brands as confusing for shoppers and a sign that the retailer does not have a clear idea of its core customer.
The M&S boss said that he was "disappointed" with the group's womenswear performance.
"We have not been as stylish as customers wanted us to be, we have not had the availability of product when they wanted it and need to make sure we have the right product in the right place in terms of our ranges.
"We have started to make improvements in that and we can see that in our like-for likes but we have a lot more to do and we will work really hard on that."
In early signs of a refreshingly different approach to his predecessor, Marc Bolland, Mr Rowe said that his team would no longer refer to the struggling unit as "general merchandise" but "in customer clothing language" clothing, accessories and homewares.
When asked about the change from Mr Bolland, the new chief executive said: "You're going to hear from me a very straightforward approach with clarity and robustness."
Clive Black, analyst at Shore Capital, said: "Given his nature, dynamic, active and to the point, we do anticipate that M&S will enter a period of further change albeit second guessing the nature and extent of the change under Mr Rowe is difficult."
Marks & Spencer said that it was determined to be more competitive on price and said that this year, men's white t-shirts were reduced from £7.50 to £6 while its Spring womenswear collection was on average £35 an item compared to £40 a year ago.
Marks & Spencer's food business posted flat like-for-like sales growth for the quarter while total sales rose by 4pc.
As a result of the sales rise, Marks & Spencer's Simply Food division gained a record share of the grocery market at 4.3pc.
Food sales were boosted by 80 new store openings and a strong Mother's Day performance. The retailer said that it had launched 400 new food lines during the quarter.
The company said that currency pressures would mean profits the international division would be "significantly down".
M&S expects the gross margin in its clothing and home division to be between 240 basis points and 250 basis points, compared to earlier guidance of between 200 basis points and 250 basis points.
"We can expect Steve Rowe to 'kitchen sink' the M&S full-year results in May, leaving him with a clean sheet with which to start his tenure as chief executive," said James McGregor, partner at Retail Remedy.


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Flame Retardants in Mattresses May Pose Danger
A group of organizations is calling for a ban of products that have any of the chemicals associated with flame retardants. A coalition of nine organizations including the International Association of Firefighters, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Consumer Federation of America have filed a petition with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to eliminate the use of fire retardant chemicals.
Flame retardants made by chemical manufacturers are used to treat many consumer products to help lower risk of injury from fire. Many argue that flame retardants have not been shown to clearly prevent fire. Flame retardant chemicals are in many products found in your home and car – mattresses, electronics, sofas, car seats, cushions.
They may also be found in your body. Some flame retardants can be released from products and accumulate in your home. Depending on the size of your home, your ventilation system and what is in your home, your exposure will vary. Unfortunately, the chemicals can be found in dust particles that we absorb directly through contact and breathing or, even, indirectly through food that has been exposed. Young children are very susceptible to exposure as they often crawl on the floor and place their hands and other objects into their mouths that have the dust on them.
In 2014, Duke University conducted a study testing the urine of mothers and children. All the samples were positive for fire retardant chemicals with the children’s samples being 5 times as high as the moms’. It is believed that these chemicals can damage brain development and may be carcinogenic. Duke University offers foam testing to help consumers be informed about the possible flame retardant chemicals in their homes. Foam samples can be sent to Duke, where they are tested to identify flame retardants and the concentration of the chemicals present.
Flame retardant chemicals have changed over the years with the hope of making them safer and more effective, but it seems that the chemicals used have just been replaced with others with unknown long term effects. Duke states that more research is needed and is planned to determine the possible effects of the different flame retardants currently found in consumer products.
Producers of fire retardants are using recent scientific findings to alter the ways in which fire retardants are produced and applied to help limit exposure to the consumer. The Environmental Protection Agency does evaluate and regulate fire retardants and their use in consumer goods.


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An Ohio man still feeling patriotic after this past 4th of July holiday, belted out the National Anthem on a Walmart intercom while vacationing with his family in Missouri.
The video is going viral.
40-year-old James Fruits, who has done this in public settings before, was responding to a friend’s Facebook challenge asking people to share something they were certain nobody else had done before.
Fruits quickly responded with ‘singing the National Anthem in Walmart.’
The friend challenged him, according to WLOS, saying ‘video or it didn’t happen.’
So Fruits did it in the flag aisle at the local Walmart while on vacation, but store managers urged him to grab the intercom and have a go at it for the entire store.
Fruits obliged, and the result was magic!
— ABC News (@ABC) July 12, 2017
Via ABC News:
An Ohio man is gaining viral attention after singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” over a loudspeaker in a Wal-Mart while vacationing with his family.
James Fruits, 40, of Cleveland, was captured on video while performing at the retail supercenter in Osage Beach, Missouri, on July 8. Wal-Mart posted the footage on its Facebook page, where it’s received 590,000 views since Tuesday.
“It’s blown me way and I am honored and humbled that so many people are loving it so much,” Fruits told ABC News today. “I am happy to brighten people’s day and I definetely feel like that’s my life’s mission — to make a differnce wherever I am. So if that’s bringing a smile to people’s faces while I’m on vacation with a video of me singing the national anthem, then so be it.”
An excellent job, Mr. Fruits.
“People gathered around and cheered and there were some Wal-Mart employees there as well,” he said. “I thought great timing being around the Fourth of July and being in the heart of Missouri where people seem to be super patriotic.”
For his efforts, Fruits was rewarded with a $10 gift card – paid for by an employee – and a Walmart cape.
That’s right – a Walmart cape!
Fruits urged anyone who may be inspired by his video to donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in his daughter Mylee Fruits’ honor.
What did you think of this patriotic American’s performance? Please like and share for all to see!
Read more at the Political Insider


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A takeover could be on the menu for Grubhub. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the meal-delivery company and Uber Technologies are discussing a deal that would unite them as the coronavirus pandemic sparks a surge in demand for their services. Uber, which operates a big meal-delivery unit known as Uber Eats and Grubhub are considering a deal that would value the company at roughly $6 billion. Grubhub shares soared 29% Tuesday.
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Xiaomi is working on a couple of new smartphones and the Chinese company might even launch its first smartwatch later this year. A few days back, the company launched the Xiaomi Redmi Pro, which has a 5.5-inch 1080p OLED display and a MediaTek Helio X25 deca-core processor. Now, new information from Weibo user Black_Black Digital suggests that the company is preparing for a new, budget-oriented smartphone, the Xiaomi Redmi 4, which might debut on the 25th of August 2016.
The Xiaomi Redmi 4 is the successor to the Redmi 3, which was launched back in January in China. The Xiaomi Redmi 4 might feature a 5-inch 1080p display that will be powered by the octa-core Snapdragon 625 processor. Leaked images that were revealed a few days ago suggested that it might have 2.5D curved Glass and a fingerprint scanner at the back. It was also running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage.
Also, according to the the Black_Black Digital, we might also see a new a flagship smartphone from Xiaomi in September, which is believed to be the Mi 5s or the Mi Note 2. We also reported that the Mi Note 2 might sport a 5.7-inch display and the newly announced Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor along with 6GB of RAM. Xiaomi hasn’t sent out media invites for the Redmi 4 until now, but we might see the actual launch on the 25th of August.


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Ben Stanway (left)/Moneybox
Moneybox adds another savings account to its growing list of products
The new account is powered by Shawbrook Bank and carries an interest rate of 0.25 per cent AER.
Savings and investment app Moneybox has added another savings product to its ever-growing crop of savings accounts.
From today, Moneybox customers will have access to its new Simple Saver Account, which offers a competitive, but still low, interest rate of 0.25 per cent AER.
The new account, which is powered by Shawbrook Bank, offers users a way to grow their saving pots and it can be accessed whenever they need it.
“Customers have been asking us for a simple way of building up a more flexible pot of savings within the app, and the Simple Saver does just that. It’s the natural next step for our savings offering and it’s great to be working with Shawbrook to make this possible.”
The latest addition to Moneybox’s products comes after the success of its 45 and 95 Day Notice Accounts as well as its Cash Lifetime ISA, which is one of the most widely used Lifetime ISAs in the UK, with over 200,000 users.
Customers will be able to make one withdrawal per calendar month and there is no weekly contribution limit and customers can deposit up to £85,000 in the FSCS-protected account.
“This exciting partnership with Moneybox brings a simple and flexible product to market which has been designed explicitly to make it easier for customers to achieve their savings goals,” Alun Williams, commercial director for savings at Shawbrook Bank, added.
“For Shawbrook, the partnership allows us to extend our distribution and reach savers who are looking to build on their investments for the future through a simple cash savings product. Moneybox is a rapidly-growing and hugely exciting brand to work with and we look forward to forging a successful partnership with them in the years to come.”
Founded in 2016, Moneybox has since amassed over 650,000 customers and is responsible for more than £1.5bn in customer deposits.
In a testament to its services, Moneybox’s customers deposit an average of £100m each month and the fintech is seeing its customer numbers grow by 52 per cent year on year.


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As corn prices soar on the domestic market, Ukraine broiler meat and egg production are expected to become unprofitable in the 4th quarter of 2020.
This is stated in a joint appeal the Ukraine Union of Poultry Farmers as well as some other local business associations made to the Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmuhal.
“As long as retail prices for poultry products are interconnected with the Ukrainian population’s purchasing power – which has been low – the rise in production costs drives broiler meat and egg producers into losses,” the farmers warned in their statement. Currently, the broiler meat sector’s average marginality is -12%, while average marginality in the egg sector stands at -17%, the farmers estimated. Without a substantial price hike, margins are expected to remain below the breakeven point.
Ukrainian poultry farmers are caught in the middle of falling prices and rising production costs. In September of this year, the average retail price for broiler meat in Ukraine dropped by 15% compared to the previous year, the Ukraine State Statistical Committee reported. On the domestic egg market, prices fell for the 3rd year in a row, falling by 13% in the first 9 months of 2020, by 15% in 2019, and by 12% in 2018. Both broiler meat and egg production were unprofitable in 2019, but this year’s situation seems to be much worse. “The production was already unprofitable last year, and with production costs rising substantially, we also experience a slump in prices both on the domestic and export markets,” the farmers warned.
Against this backdrop, only the biggest vertically integrated companies have positive margins, ranging between 3% and 7%, the farmers said. The rest of the Ukrainian poultry industry is in a bad shape. “The consequences of the worsening business conditions can already be seen – the turnover funds are shrinking, competitiveness on the export markets is failing, and some companies have shut down their production altogether,” the farmers said, adding that this problem could hamper the production performance of the Ukrainian poultry industry.
MHP under scrutiny for paying low taxes
Ukrainian poultry giant MHP allegedly uses letterbox companies in tax havens Luxembourg and Cyprus to avoid taxes to the Ukraine budget.
Rising prices of feed corn (65>%), feed wheat (57%), sunflower (39%) and soybean meal (42%) contributed to a 40-45% increase in feed cost since the beginning of the year, the farmers estimated. In this light, the government is called upon to include corn in the memorandum that the government and traders sign every year to prevent further price increases of raw materials and prevent a shortage of feedstuff on the domestic market. This year’s memorandum limits only wheat exports, setting the maximum volume for export at 17.5 million tonnes. Farmers are concerned that without export restrictions, prices may rise even higher.


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Mukesh Ambani is world’s fifth-richest person with $77 billion fortune
For years, the world’s five richest people comprised a little-changed group dominated by Americans, a European or two and, occasionally, a Mexican.
That changed this week. India’s Mukesh Ambani overtook Steve Ballmer on Thursday to become the fifth-wealthiest person on the planet with with a net worth of $77.4 billion. On Friday, his wealth rose a further $3.5 billion, bringing him closer to Mark Zuckerberg.
The jump in ranking is just the latest milestone for Ambani, 63, whose fortune has surged by $22.3 billion since the beginning of the year.
The Reliance Industries Ltd. chairman has jumped nine places on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index since January as shares of his conglomerate have risen 145% from a low in March, buoyed by recent investments from firms including Facebook Inc., Silver Lake and BP Plc. Ambani’s dealmaking has helped make India a bright spot for M&A during an otherwise barren year, with Indian news channel ET Now reporting that Amazon.com Inc. is in early talks for a stake in Reliance’s retail division.
Ambani cracked the group of the 10 richest people just last month. Two weeks ago, he surpassed Warren Buffett, now ranked No. 6. He overtook Elon Musk and Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page days later.
The world’s second-wealthiest Asian is Tencent Holdings Ltd. co-founder Pony Ma, who currently ranks 18th. Billionaires from the region have outperformed their peers from elsewhere this year, with the exception of Australia and New Zealand, according to the Bloomberg index, a ranking of the world’s 500 richest people.
While Ambani’s rise has been remarkable, Amazon.com Inc. founder Jeff Bezos’s fortune has surged the most this year, adding $64 billion.
He has powerful people working for him who he pays real well, in ways that can not be detected as per laws made by this Govt in its first term/ it does not matter which Govt. is in power.
Nasir Ali Zaidi
Irony of the situation is that wealth creation of Mukesh Ambani personal assets has been phenomenal in first half of the year when the world economy is devastated by COVID...19.Just see money never sleeps.
what a change for India.. India has moved from SELF RELIANCE to Only RELIANCE for all technological advancements .. with Chinese coRONA now inflation will jump as informed circles are opining that Chines product finished product cost is lower than cost indian raw materila
Believe or not but he is the only reason for transforming India into a Digital India.Modi tries many thing for digital India but Ambani sir made it successful in one night.
Thank you so much Mukesh Ambani Sir
Reliance Foundation, helps various people in distress and till recently made maximum donation for Covid 19 pandemic for State Govt to purchase equipment etc. Mrs. Neeta Ambani, leads this foundation. She got the world highest award from world forum for her maximum contribution for Covid 19. Besides, they are helping various people in need thru their foundations for years. Besides, Reliance Fresh' thru their retail stores all over India sells quality vegetables high quality fresh -fruits, groceries etc at very low price !
Full credits to Mukesh Ambani for his great achievement.However
Mr Aneel Ambani has transferred all assets to his brother and taken all the debts blame himself. Great brotherly love indeed.
What is their contribution in the welfare of society and reduction in environmental pollution?
I guess India should not any corporation and any businesses. Government can do it all and people will buy whatever go nment tells them to buy.
Its ok to be jealous of somebody elses wealth, but putting them down is not ok. I am not suggesting Mukesh is a saint, but industrialists like him generate jobs, attract investment from external sources, contribute to the GDP, to taxes that pave the roads and build the Nations infrastructure. Have some respect.
Can Anil Ambanis debts be repaid to SBI. That will be good.
From now on I will use Reliance products only than any other, even other Indian ones. Lets us help him in reaching first position if possible . And I believe he is surely patriotic and will help India become stronger in future at high table,
Rich becomes richer and poor becomes poorer... Indian currency is getting devaluated , inflation remains high, deficit becoming larger, NPA and bad loans are increasing...
Praker - in case you have not noticed, Mukesh has taken money from the rich ABROAD and eliminated his debt to the Banks in India. Your complaint that rich become richer and poor become poorer is also misplaced.... industrialists like him generate more jobs that feed the employed and their families, while also enriching the state's coffers thru tax monies.
Sudip Kumar Lahiri
Good to know that one Indian stalwart businessman becomes world's fifth richest person
we are very glad to see the growth of Reliance chairman sri. mukesh ambani. since world richest person himeself wants to take a stake in retail business it is a good augury to move up and became in top three status
This RISE of Mukesh Ambani Sir is making 130 Cr INDIANS very PROUD and such achievement CAN be done ONLY by a FEW
RIL's performace is the best example of rising India. Hope for many more great Indians find place in the Rich's list. JAI HIND.
If it made others poorer then no good.
nothing to be proud of when millions live in poverty in our country. inequality at its fuc***g best.
Can they buy life with this money？Why this frenzy？


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VW to launch MOBILE charging stations that can boost the batteries in electric cars in just 17 minutes
- The 360kWh portable charging units are independent from any power source
- Each offers enough capacity to charge up to 15 electric vehicles before needing to be substituted for a new one
- 4 vehicles can charge at the same time. They'll be available in Germany this year
- The stations will be by cities to identify the best locations for permanent chargers to be installed and also for large public events
German car maker VW has confirmed it will introduce the next-generation of charge points this year - and they are can be moved from location to location.
The portable EV charging stations will be launched in the company's home city of Wolfsburg in the first half of 2019 and extended across Germany next year as part of a new pilot by the automotive giant.
The mobile units - shown here in illustrations - allow for quick charging of up to 100 kilowatts, meaning an electric car can be charged to 80 per cent battery capacity in just over a quarter of an hour.
Mobile solution: Volkswagen will roll-out new portable charging stations for electric cars in Germany in the next 6 months
Thomas Schmall, chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group Components, described the new mobile devices as 'a decisive step toward an efficient network of charging points'.
'They can be set up anywhere as required – with or without connection to the power supply,' he explained.
'This flexibility enables a completely new approach for the rapid expansion of the charging infrastructure.'
Availability will begin in VW's home of Wolfsburg in the next six months, it said, but has yet to confirm which other German cities will benefit from the new hi-tech systems from 2020.
If trials prove successful there's a very strong chance the technology could be made available across Europe - especially to help provide charging solutions for major events and public gatherings.
Mobile charging stations - how do they work?
The 360kWh mobile charging stations are independent from any power source, meaning they can be dropped anywhere with a flat surface.
Each one has the capacity to charge up to 15 electric cars to 80 per cent capacity, which can be completed in just 17 minutes using DC quick charging, the brand said.
The stations - which can charge up to 4 vehicles simultaneously - can boost the batteries in an EV to 80% in just 17 minutes
VW said the portable systems will be key to helping Europe develop its infrastructure for charging electric cars of the future, such as its own ID range
Once the power packs in the station drop below 20 per cent capacity, an alert is sent to VW so they can be replaced with a new one.
Alternatively, the stations can be hooked up to a 30kW power supply that recharges the power packs, meaning the unit doesn't have to be substituted for a fresh one - which must come at a logistical cost.
The systems also allow temporary storage of renewable energy - such as solar or wind power - to provide carbon-neutral charging solutions.
Mr Schmall said cities can use the stations to identify the most suitable places for a permanent charging point before making major investments to install fixed chargers.
Volkswagen has teased its range of ID models, including a zero-emissions bus (ID Buzz, left), a Golf replacement (ID concept, middle) and electric SUV (ID Crozz, right)
The mobile stations will be used at major public events to provide a charging solution for electric vehicle owners
They could also prove extremely useful during large sporting, music and other entertainment events attended by large crowds.
'In addition, it will be possible to set up a large number of charging stations temporarily – exactly when and where they are needed,' Schmall said.
The mobile stations can be located online or via apps and are compatible with electric cars and e-bikes.
Up to four vehicles can be charged simultaneously: two with DC and two with AC connections.
VW confirmed towards the end of last year that it will release its last generation petrol and diesel engines in 2026 before focusing entirely on the development of electric powertrains.
One of the first next-generation cars will be a Golf-replacing zero-emissions model - as seen in the diagrams - as part of a new 'I.D' range of family vehicles.
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